On February 20, New York–based fashion designer Alexander Wang and his mother, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ying Wang, officially opened a new cultural institution, “THE WANG CONTEMPORARY,” in New York’s Chinatown.
The space is housed at 58 Bowery, a historic landmark building located at the corner of Bowery and Canal Street. Originally constructed in 1924 as a domed bank building, it was designated a historic landmark in 2011. This marks the first time in its more than 100-year history that the property has come under Chinese American ownership.
Reimagining a Historic Landmark
For over a century, 58 Bowery stood as a symbol of commerce. It has now been reimagined as a site for creative capital and cultural exchange. Against the layered history of the Bowery—long shaped by immigrant communities, performance culture, and experimentation—the building enters a new chapter while preserving its legacy.
In a city where approximately 1.5 million Asian and Asian American residents live, THE WANG CONTEMPORARY positions itself as a permanent platform dedicated to amplifying Asian and Asian American creativity. The institution will present exhibitions and programs across disciplines including art, design, music, and performance, featuring both established artists and emerging voices. Select events will be free and open to the public.
Ying Wang stated: “Connecting the East and West has been the journey of my life. It is deeply meaningful to open a new cultural hub in Chinatown within a building that holds more than 100 years of history. It represents legacy, resilience, and our belief that our stories deserve a permanent home.”
Alexander Wang added: “Growing up as an Asian American, there were not many spaces that reflected our stories, voices, or creativity. ‘THE WANG CONTEMPORARY’ is an effort to reclaim space—both physically and culturally. It opens the door for a new generation of artists and creators to gain visibility, support, and community.”
Opening Exhibition: MSCHF Performance Installation
To mark its grand opening, the Brooklyn-based conceptual collective MSCHF presents 20,000 Variations On A Paper Plane In Flight, on view from February 20 to February 22, 2026, in celebration of Lunar New Year. Admission is free with advance registration.
Conceived as a durational performance installation, the work releases red and gold paper airplanes from the building’s central skylight every hour throughout the exhibition. Each plane carries a single word selected from 5,000 of the most commonly used nouns in the English language. Visitors are invited to pick up and unfold the planes, encountering language through chance.
Composer and pianist Yeonjoon Yoon performs a layered piano score during the exhibition, enveloping the space in an immersive sonic experience.
On February 19 (local time), a VIP opening event was held, attended by Ice Spice, Ming Lee Simmons, Anna Delvey, Skrilla, Jhaleel Weaver, and Yvesmark Cherry.
Through THE WANG CONTEMPORARY, the founders establish a cross-generational, cross-disciplinary cultural institution rooted in Chinatown’s history yet oriented toward the future—an evolving platform where culture is lived, challenged, and continuously redefined.
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